English Bridge

The Two-minute Interview

Bridge-playing celebrities talk about themselves and their love of bridge The Two-minute Interview The Two-minute Interview The Two-minute Interview

Susan Hampshire James Mates Liz Fraser s s e e d d n n a a h h o o M M

n n e e e e r r i i h h S S

: : o o t t o o h h P P

Susan Hampshire is one of Britain’s AWARD- winning journalist James finest actors, especially famous for her Mates is ITV News’ Senior Corres - One of Britain’s most popular comic television roles as Fleur Forsyte, Sarah pondent. He mostly plays at the actresses, Liz Fraser has sixty-three Churchill, Becky Sharp, and more Andrew Robson Bridge Club in film appearances to her credit . recently Molly in Monarch Of The Glen . , and also used to play in Recently she has appeared in In 1995, she received an OBE for her Washington when he worked there episodes of Foyle’s War, Doctors and work for the dyslexia cause and has as ITV correspondent. on television. written a memoir about her own How did you start playing bridge? struggle with the disorder. How did you start playing bridge? My girlfriend, now wife, taught me at In the early ’60s I went to play golf at How did you start playing bridge? the kitchen table. the Mill Hill golf course, and was I was looking for a sedentary activity to How often do you play? intrigued by the funny card game some share with my husband, who is not the As often as I can, and not nearly often ladies were playing. So I got a book active type, so five years ago I took a enough. On average, about once a and taught myself in three days! I was weekend beginners course supervised by week. helped by having a good grasp of card Simon Stocken at the Andrew Robson games, especially whist, as I had played What does playing bridge mean to Bridge Club in London. a lot when evacuated during the war. you? How often do you play? Paradoxically, it’s a combination of a How often do you play? Not as often as my husband, who is a real intellectual challenge and great Not as often as I would like now that keen duplicate player and plays five times relaxation. I’ve met so many people I my regular partner has moved to a week! I play as often as I can when I am now call friends around a card table, Spain. I still manage the occasional not working, so it’s fairly spasmodic. and hope I’ll continue to do so. Monday and Wednesday at Young What does bridge mean to you? If you could change one thing about Chelsea, my favourite club. I enjoy playing because it is relaxing, bridge, what would it be? What does bridge mean to you? but the main benefit for me has been that I would keep on moving down the I enjoy the competitive side of bridge, bridge has improved my memory as well road away from ‘alerts’ and towards as the way my brain works. Acting entails so even when I go on a bridge holiday ‘announcements’ of partnership agree - learning a lot of lines very quickly, which – as I will this Christmas, with Hilton ments. does not become any easier with age. – I look for a good game. Bridge has helped me enormously in this What are your hobbies outside What are your other hobbies? respect . bridge? Bowls, golf, charity work, and espe - Riding my mountain bike and playing How could bridge be more enjoyable cially walking. Usually I walk my bas - tennis. for you? set hound two hours a day. I would love to be able to have a regular Name up to six people you would Name up to six people you would partner. We might stand a better chance invite to your Dream Dinner Party. invite to your Dream Dinner Party. of understanding each other’s bidding To make up a bridge four: Zia It would be six people who don’t play than I do with playing with a differ - Mahmood, Omar Sharif and Andrew bridge! I think bridge players are Robson. To put the world to rights: ent partner each time ! extremely boring , since for the most Lance Armstrong, Nelson Mandela What are your hobbies outside bridge? part their conversation starts with: and Arnie Schwarzenegger. Gardening and music. ‘You hold . . .’

2 English Bridge www.ebu.co.uk The Two-minute Interview The Two-minute Interview The Two-minute Interview

Ed Glinert Farokh Engineer Benjamin Whitrow

BAFTA-nominated for his perform - ance as Mr Bennet in the BBC produc - FAROKH Engineer’s test cricket career tion of Pride and Prejudice , Benjamin Journalist and author Ed Glinert started in 1961 and continued to 1975; Whitrow has appeared in TV dramas specialises in writing about London he was India’s first-choice wicket- since the 1960s. He has also been a reg - and has published several books on keeper for most of that period. As a ular stage performer with such famous the subject – most notably The Lon - batsman, he plundered 94 before companies as the Royal Shakes peare don Compendium , chosen by two lunch on the first day in the Madras Com pany and the National Theatre. leading newspapers as one of their test in 1966-67. Farokh also lent his ‘books of the year’. His latest book, face – and hair! – to the Brylcreem How did you start playing bridge? The Manchester Compen dium, pub - advertising campaign. My parents used to play and I learned from them, but I became lished by Penguin, is out this month. How did you start playing bridge? really interested as a young actor. When I had a knee replacement operation – How did you start playing bridge? I worked at the National Theatre, Lau - My maths teacher at school when I not an uncommon occurrence for a cricketer – and was bored during the rence Olivier, the director, allowed us to was 12 threatened the class: learn to set up a table in the wings. It was good play bridge, or find pi to a million long recovery period that followed. fun to play until you heard your cue, go decimal places. A friend took me to the Manchester Bridge Club; I played a few times and on stage, do your bit . . . and come back How often do you play? was hooked! As in cricket, I didn’t take to find that someone else had played the Twice a week, although I often retire lessons but just threw myself in at the hand for you! at night with Goren and Kelsey to keep deep end. However, I had help from How often do you play? myself fresh. Jeff Morris, owner of Man chester BC, If I am not working, two or three times What does playing bridge mean to who gave me a portable bridge-playing a week. I play duplicate at the Wim ble - you? computer to practise with. don Bridge Club: I like the ambience The chance of being humiliated by How often do you play? – and the club is not far from home. my peers at the cost of only a few Two or three times a week, either What does bridge mean to you? pounds (unless we’ve won the week rubber or duplicate. before and have a free entrance ticket). It keeps me occupied in the evening What does bridge mean to you? and gives me the opportunity to meet If you could change one thing about A lot! It keeps my mind alert. As in people from all walks of life. More bridge, what would it be? cricket, you never stop learning. importantly, I like the fact that bridge I once saw someone open as dealer If you could change one thing about enables you to be totally absorbed for with a double. When it was explained bridge, what would it be? three hours and forget all about your to her that this was against the rules, I would discourage from playing those sorrows and pro blems in life. her reply – too long to go into here - opinionated people who make life a If you could change one thing about convinced me that she was right and misery for others with gratuitous criti - bridge, what would it be? that the laws should be changed. cism. The really good players are not I would re-instate the re-redouble! The What are your hobbies outside like that and advise only when asked! redouble has become almost a conven - bridge? What are your hobbies outside tion, so it would be good to have a call Translating the Bible from the origi - bridge? that only means business! nal Hebrew properly, writing eve r More bridge! But I also do a lot of com - more books, eating, and Arsenal mentating for the media all over the What are your other hobbies ? Football Club and everything associ - world – mostly cricket, but I hope Golf, though I am not very good at it, ated with it. bridge will be next! reading and going to concerts.

www.ebu.co.uk English Bridge 3 The Two-minute Interview The Two-minute Interview The Two-minute Interview

Baroness Henig of Kosha Engler Louis Sachar Lancaster s m a i l l i W - n n a a i p m o w g e a N H

e y r r i r a l e P C

: : o o t t o o h h P P

Originally from Baltimore, Maryland, International best-selling writer Louis Kosha Engler moved to London in Sachar is best known for being the Ruth Henig, Baroness Henig of Lan- 2005. She has worked in theatre, film, author of global blockbuster Holes. caster was a distinguished academic TV, radio, video games, and print in The novel has won several awards and before taking up a political career that the USA and the UK. Most recently she was made into a film in 2003. has led to her being made a life peer in played Pat Collins opposite Andrew How did you start playing bridge? 2004. She is currently Chairman of the Lincoln as astronaut Michael Collins Security Industry Authority, and still I learned to play bridge when I was very in Moon shot for ITV and Dangerous young by watching my parents play. I don’t lectures and writes on 20th century Films, about the Apollo 11 moon land - remember if I actually had any lessons, but I international history. ing. It will be broadcast in 2009. was fascinated by the game, and occasional - How did you start playing bridge? How did you start playing bridge? ly they’d let me sit in on a hand. I also I played Solo Whist at university, so My husband and his Cambridge Foot - learned by using Autobridge. I stopped play - ing once I became a teen ager. Nobody I when I got married and saw my in-laws lights buddies taught me while on a play bridge I thought I could easily learn knew played. Decades passed. I got serious group holiday over New Year 2002. about chess, and would play in chess tourna - and enjoy the game. I did not take les - How often do you play? ments. I’d read the chess column in the sons but started straight at a club where About once a month. newspaper. Then in 1991 I moved from San I learned by humiliation, doing badly Francisco to Austin, Texas. There was no for quite some time! What does bridge mean to you? I grew up playing cards – it’s the way my chess column, so I started reading the bridge column, and my interest in the game How often do you play? family bonds. My uncle taught me the returned. Shortly thereafter I met a duplicate About once a week, either at the House riffle shuffle with a cascade finish when player who asked if I wanted to give it a try. of Lords (I am the Secretary of the HOL I was 8. Then I worked my way up from Bridge Club), or at Young Chelsea. I scoffed when she mentioned that there was one- to four-player games: solitaire, gin a game every day, and we could play several When I am in Lancaster, I play at the rummy, casino, euchre, spades. Bridge Lancaster Bridge Club. times a week. Once a week seemed more was always the ‘hard game.’ My parents than enough, thank you very much. I now What does bridge mean to you? didn’t play and I felt intimida ted by its play four times a week, sometimes more. It gives me the opportunity to escape complexity. But when I finally gave in What does bridge mean to you? into a parallel universe which is chal - and learned to play, a new world opened I think one of the reasons I became a writer lenging and competitive, but also fun. up: the intricacies of the game are exact - is because I’m not all that adept at most If you could change one thing about ly what make it so thrilling. social situations. I’m no good at small talk. I bridge, what would it be? If you could change one thing about don’t like it. The communication in bridge is The boorish behaviour of one or two bridge, what would it be? essential, but minimalistic, where you and your partner exchange ideas succinctly, opponents – no names mentioned! Declarer could have the option of ask - without a whole lot of unnecessary words, What are your other hobbies? ing dummy for advice on any given yet there is true delight when your thoughts Fell walking, gardening, watching foot - trick. As a penalty for the advantage, the and efforts are perfectly coordinated. ball (I support Leicester City), wine trick won with dummy’s advice would What are your plans for this year? appreciation and especially Sudoku. be worth half points, so if trumps are a I’m currently working on a novel that is very major, the trick in question would only Name up to five people you would much about bridge, although that’s all I can invite to your Dream Dinner Party. be worth 15 instead of 30 points. say about it for now. If I can pull it off, I hope I have a low boredom threshold, so I What are your other hobbies? it will not only be enjoyed by a wide variety would invite Rory Bremner, Victoria Country walks, reading, writing, travel - of readers, but will also cause a new group of Wood, Lenny Henry, Dawn French and ling, watching films, looking after our young people to become interested in the especially my husband, Jack Johnstone. two kittens, gardening, knitting, games. game.

4 English Bridge www.ebu.co.uk The Two-minute Interview The Two-minute Interview The Two-minute Interview

Ross Harper Sue Lawley Mike Gatting s t r A

y k S

: o t o h P

Ross Harper founded a legal practice in Sue Lawley is one of Britain’s best known Mike Gatting, who recently took part in Scotland in the 1960s. Awarded a CBE radio and television broadcasters, Sky Arts TV’s Bridge: Celebrity Grand for political and public services in 1986, hosting Desert Island Discs for eighteen Slam, was the Middlesex and he was appointed part-time Professor of years. She has now become famous as the Cricket captain for several years. He cap - Law. As President of the International first winner of Sky Arts TV’s Bridge: tained England to an Ashes series victory Bar Association, in 1994 he moved to Celebrity Grand Slam (see page 17). in Australia in 1986-87 and was awarded London, where he still lives. One of his an OBE in 1987. Mike is currently the most famous cases involved the first pri - How did you start playing bridge? ECB Managing Director of Cricket vate prosecution in Scotland for fifty I took up bridge in my late twenties. My Partnerships. years (the ‘Glasgow Rape Case’, memo - husband and our next door neighbours rably described in a book by Ross) which taught me and we became hugely keen, How did you start playing bridge? playing into the wee small hours. We led to the resignation of the then On tour in Pakistan in 1978, aged 21: were producing children in those days Solicitor General of Scotland, Nicholas there was not much else to do apart from and I have to confess to having fed a Fair bairn QC MP. playing cricket! But I always liked play - baby at the bridge table. ing cards: as a child, I used to watch peo - How did you start playing bridge? And after that? ple play whist at the sports club where On holiday, with the wife, Ursula I divorced and re-married a non-bridge my parents played. (forty-five years happily married), player so I hardly played for twenty years. How often do you play? play ing ‘bidding whist’ in our thirties. Then we bought a house in a small She said that she was allergic to bridge, Not often – mostly with friends when coastal town in East Devon. The local cricket matches are stopped by the rain! because of my mother! ‘Bridge & Croquet Club’ turned out to be I’d like to play with my son, but the boy How often do you play? thriving and suddenly I discovered the prefers poker. However, I have repeatedly Three times a week, plus congresses bug had bitten me again! I was very rusty been invited to play duplicate at MCC, so and international events. but the members were patient with me – I’m busy learning from a computer What does bridge mean to you? formal, precise, sticklers for the rules and program and hope to be ready soon. A lot. It keeps the brain cells working etiquette, and mustard at the game! What do you like about bridge? and hopefully healthy. Tony Priday and And now? I love the challenge of playing the cards Bernard Teltscher in their 80s are my Over the last fourteen years I’ve learned right. I count points and tricks non-stop! role models (and of course the ‘young’ much more than I ever knew about If you could change one thing about Martin Hoffman). bridge, and I play regularly during holi - bridge, what would it be? If you could change one thing about days. I know that If I’m not getting the I would like the bidding to be simpler, so bridge, what would it be? cards, I need to sit on my hanky instead that the partnership can be confident of of walking around my chair. Playing too late at night; the French do under standing each other’s bids. it better. I would also outlaw eating at What does bridge mean to you? What are your other hobbies? the table and send those who snap cards Just as when I was 30 years old, the Golf, because I like the fresh air; reading, loudly to Siberia. sound of the cards being shuffled sets because I caught the bug on tour and need What are your other hobbies? my heart a-flutter and banishes any my fix – especially of thrillers; and watch - Angling, Scottish Fine Art, and having sense of tiredness. Bridge for me is true ing anything geographical, especially escapism – there’s no room in your nature documentaries. grandchildren. head for any of life’s serious concerns Name up to six people you would Name up to six people you would when you’re short of entries to the table, invite to your Dream Dinner Party. invite to your Dream Dinner Party. the opposition’s strength is all on the Sir Donald Bradman, Elton John, Daley Socrates, Diogenes, Sophocles and wrong side and you’ve said you can Thompson, Martin Luther King and Pericles (with Cicero as the waiter). make three no-trumps. Nelson Mandela.

www.ebu.co.uk English Bridge 5 The Two-minute Interview The Two-minute Interview The Two-minute Interview

Val McDermid Dinah Stocken Rune Hauge i h c c a s T t

r n A o

y R k K

S :

: o t o t o o h h P P

Val McDermid is an award-winning and Dinah Stocken was called to the Bar in Rune Hauge is a current European Open best-selling crime novelist. To date she 1967 and, after a short time as a solicitor, Mixed Teams Champion and he can be has written twenty-two books. One of was appointed a District Judge in 1989 seen at most major Open bridge champ - her series was turned into the TV drama, and a Recorder in 1994. At that time ionships together with his team of fellow Wire in the Blood, and it has run for six there were only seven other women at Norwegians. Rune is based in London seasons. Originally from Scotland, Val her level of judge out of a total of about and Guernsey, and is a well known foot - now lives in the North of England. two hundred and fifty. Dinah is married ball agent. He has been involved in major to former EBU Chairman Peter Stocken deals such as the transfer of Rio Ferdi - How did you start playing bridge? and they have three sons, who are all suc - nand from West Ham Utd to Leeds Utd. cessful bridge teachers, and a daughter My parents used to play Solo and I loved who now only plays very occasionally. How did you start playing bridge? to watch, so I had an early grasp of the I first got interested when studying eco - idea of making a contract. I got roped in How did you start playing bridge? nomics in Germany. by friends when I was at university, but it was just social kitchen-bridge stuff. My aunt, Alice Bridgewater, was a very How often do you play? good county player, but did not want to How often do you play? My business life is very full, so I can only teach me from the start and so I learnt at manage ten major tournaments a year. In Sometimes two or three times a month, Trinity College, Dublin, where I met Peter: between, I squeeze in training sessions sometimes not at all. It depends on how some would say that we played too much and the occasional duplicate at Young busy I am and how much I am away from to the detriment of our studies! My aunt Chelsea Bridge Club. Unfortunately I am home. then continued the teaching process. too busy now to continue playing rubber How did you get involved with the Sky How often do you play? bridge, which I used to enjoy. Arts TV Bridge: Celebrity Grand Slam Sadly I play competitively no more than What does bridge mean to you? programme? four or five times a year with occasional A lot. I love it especially because it takes At the Harrogate Crime Writing Festival forays on-line and I do some bridge teach - me away from business. every year, we have a flexible bridge ing for my eldest son, Jack. I am looking If you could change one thing about game with people dropping in and out. forward to retirement in 18 months’ time, bridge, what would it be? Hugh Dehn (the producer of the TV when I hope to play more often. I like it as it is, and enjoy the different series) had a friend in publishing who What does bridge mean to you? knew about our criminal play! approaches to the game in different parts I love the intellectual challenge and of of the world. For instance, in my native Has it had an effect on your bridge course it is immensely satisfying when Norway bridge organisers are very tech - since? you get it right – rather like golf, which is nologically minded, so you know your Yes, I learned quite a bit from the experts. another hobby and which I also look for- exact score by board. That is fun, It was really encouraging to feel I’m still ward to playing more of later. Apart but I also like English tournaments where capable of learning new tricks. Of course, from that, I am an avid reader and a you only discover at the end of a match or my friends have been teasing me merci - garden-potterer with my Ipod. session how you have done. That’s when it lessly ever since. Every time I make a mis - If you could change one thing about counts, anyway! take, it’s: ‘Ooh, what would Clive bridge, what would it be? Name up to four people you would Anderson say?’ I am glad to see that the EBU is clamping invite to your Dream Dinner Party. What does bridge mean to you? down on bad behaviour at the table and I Norwegian bridge champion Tor Hel ness I am normally a very competitive person hope it will continue to do so. (you never know what he’s going to do but bridge is the only area of my life Name up to four people you would next), Martin O’Neill (the Aston Villa where I genuinely don’t care if I win or invite to your Dream Dinner Party. Manager), and Bill Gates. That makes us lose. I love the cut and thrust of the play Jane Austen, F. E. Smith, Elizabeth David four at the table and we can play bridge and the stimulus of the game. and Terry Wogan. after our meal . . .

6 English Bridge www.ebu.co.uk The Two-minute Interview The Two-minute Interview The Two-minute Interview

Baron May of Francine Winham Dennis Amiss

ROBERT MAY, Baron May of Oxford, FRANCINE WINHAM is an acclaimed DENNIS AMISS played cricket for both has been Chief Scientific Adviser to HM photographer, best known for her work Warwickshire County Cricket Club and Government, President of the Royal in the world of jazz. After a spell as a film England, and scored 103 centuries in Society, and a Professor at Sydney, director, in 1991 Francine started train - first class cricket. After retiring as a play - Princeton, Oxford and Imperial College ing as an opera singer and has perfor - er in 1987, he served as Chief Executive London. He is a Fellow of Merton med in productions both home and at Edgbaston for twelve years and has College, Oxford, a crossbencher in the abroad. been Deputy Chairman of the England House of Lords and an appointed mem - & Wales Cricket Board since 2007. ber of the council of the British Science How did you start playing bridge? Association. When I was a teenager my aunt taught me How did you start playing bridge? whist – which I have now forgotten how How did you start playing bridge? to play. Later a group of friends learned to My wife and I were taught by friends I learned as a postgraduate student, but play together, having bridge parties with about 40 years ago, on a sailing trip only started playing seriously as a young total beginners. We felt very grand. I start - around France. Learning bridge was one lecturer at Sydney University. Sadly, by the ed to read bridge books, and we’d sit of the best parts of a wonderful holiday. time I became good enough to be consid - around testing each other on the quizzes How often do you play? ered for the New South Wales state team, I in the books. We play twice a week either at the golf switched from physics to ecology, which How often do you play? club or with friends as a social activity. meant spending more time on my aca- Probably on average twice a week nowa - dem ic career, and less and less on bridge. What does bridge mean to you? days. I used to play at weekends all night It’s a way of relaxing, keeping in touch How often do you play? with the curtains drawn, and then be with friends and exercising the little grey Not nearly enough, maybe four or five astounded to see light coming in the win - times a year, mostly at the House of Lords. dow when we finally went to bed at about cells, all rolled up in one. What does bridge mean to you? 5 or 6 in the morning. If you could change one thing about bridge, what would it be? I have always loved puzzles – I could What does bridge mean to you? spend my life solving problems and play - It’s my main form of entertainment I would like to be a better player! But I am ing games, and bridge is one of the best. (except for singing). I’ve met many very working at it, by taking lessons from a All my training as an administrator comes good friends through bridge and bridge teacher with a group of friends. from bridge. It taught me to make deci - although I’m hooked on Sudoku, it’s What are your hobbies apart from sions in a fog of uncertainty, relate to much more interesting to read bridge bridge? partner and team-mates, and move on books and do bridge problems when I’m I am still involved with cricket as an cheerfully when things go wrong even if on my own. you have done everything right! admin istrator, which takes up a fair If you could change one thing about amount of time. But I also love garden - If you could change one thing about bridge, what would it be? ing, golf and looking after our two bridge, what would it be? It would be good if the rules in duplicate grand children, who are now aged 7 and 9. I would like to see it taught in schools as it about what needs alerting and when one Name up to four people you would is an excellent way of fostering coopera - has to announce could be the same here tion and equanimity under uncertainty. and abroad, especially the USA. invite to your dream dinner party. What are your hobbies apart from What are your hobbies apart from Omar Sharif because everyone has heard bridge? bridge? that he is a very good bridge player; Julia Roberts so I can look at a beautiful Walking amid beautiful scenery. My wife Singing, tennis, and formerly skiing. The woman; Ernie Els in order to dine with a and I have just finished walking the entire singing is now mainly jazz and I attend 630 miles of the South West coast path lots of ‘open mics’ (music competitions top golfer; and of course my wife, or she from Minehead to Poole. open to all). won’t play bridge with me any more!

www.ebu.co.uk English Bridge 7 The Two-minute Interview The Two-minute Interview The Two-minute Interview

Bob Blackman Simon Heffer Michael Clayton

BOB BLACKMAN was elected Member of Parliament for Harrow East in 2010. SIMON HEFFER is a journalist, MICHAEL CLAYTON is a former Editor of He is also a former member of the columnist and writer, currently Horse and Hound, and Editor-in-Chief of London Assembly and former Deputy Assistant Editor of The Daily Country Life and The Field . Michael has Leader of Brent Council. Telegraph. His latest book on the written over twenty books, and his latest, an illustrated history of the Belvoir Hunt, English Language, Strictly English, How did you start playing bridge? is published by Merlin Unwin this year. has just been published by Random I learned at school, from a school friend of House. mine whose parents were very keen play - How did you start playing bridge? ers. We learned quickly as a group of four I used to play poker as a young reporter who eventually became the school team. How did you start playing bridge? but considered bridge a waste of time. My The team I joined then reached the Nat- I was taught by other boys at school wife Marilyn started playing bridge six ional Schools Final. This entailed progres - when I was 11 or 12. I was already quite years ago. She persuaded me to take up the sing through two heats of twenty schools a serious card player, notably cribbage game, but I made very little real progress learning at home. Then a friend suggested and a semi-final of twenty qualifiers and whist. before finishing in the top half of the we attend Stamford (Lincs) Bridge Club’s Wednesday morning workshop sessions. finals each year. I then went to Liverpool How often do you play? Listening to Graham Hedley every week University where I was a member of the Not often enough. Two or three times explaining the game lucidly, with black - university bridge team for four years and a year, partly because I am so busy, board illustrations, suddenly made the reached the national finals each year. partly because I have a family of non- game more explicable – and enjoyable. How often do you play? card players. But I do have a bridge How often do you play? Sadly, I only manage to play very occa - computer that I play with regularly. We play two or three times a week, once at sionally although I would like to play the club, and often at home with friends. more often. What does bridge mean to you? What does bridge mean to you? What does bridge mean to you? Bridge is the most enjoyable indoor It’s been a tremendous boon, especially in Bridge is the only game I have played game I know. I never become bored the last two severe winters when night falls where I completely immerse myself in by it. in mid-afternoon in the East Midlands. I the game to the exclusion of all other have made new friends I would otherwise thoughts. I thoroughly enjoy the game If you could change one thing about not have met. Now in my latter seventies, and look forward to playing more often. bridge, what would it be? and suffering a few infirmities, it has given me a new interest I much appreciate. I fear If you could change one thing about I wouldn’t change anything. It is per - bridge, what would it be? I shall continue ‘bumping along the bottom’ fect as it is. as a competitive player, but sometimes I Its lack of popularity amongst young surprise myself by what can be achieved. I people. What are your hobbies apart from had not realised previously how varied and What are your hobbies apart from bridge? interesting bridge can be. bridge? Music, films, reading, cricket, photog - If you could change one thing about Football, cricket, reading mysteries and raphy and architecture. bridge, what would it be? thrillers, chess, listening to music and I would seek to limit the huge proliferation watching films. Name up to four people you would of complicated conventions. I think they Name up to four people you would invite to your Dream Dinner Party. put off many would-be players, and I do invite to your Dream Dinner Party. Mr Gladstone, Vaughan Williams, not believe that some of the way-out con - Elizabeth I and Charles Dickens. ventions are really of much use even to the Omar Sharif, Winston Churchill, Her cule experts. Poirot and Margaret Thatcher.

8 English Bridge www.ebu.co.uk